Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus, and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation have announced a partnership to collaborate on superconducting technologies aimed at future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This cooperation focuses on advancing cryogenic systems that could improve energy efficiency in electric propulsion for aviation.
These technologies offer significant benefits for hydrogen-powered aircraft, as they utilise liquid hydrogen not only as fuel but also to cool electrical systems to -253°C. This cooling could enable nearly lossless power transmission, improving the aircraft's performance and energy efficiency. Hydrogen-powered aircraft are considered one of the key solutions in the aviation industry’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus' future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This partnership represents a natural and essential step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the needs of the aerospace industry, ” said Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Disruptive R&T.
“Toshiba’s expertise in superconducting technology for high current flow, motor drive technology for precise current control, and advanced rotating machinery technology for stable, high-speed operation, forms a strong foundation for this partnership. We both recognize the tremendous potential of superconducting technologies in shaping the future of aircraft and driving the decarbonization of the aviation industry. We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing next-generation technologies for the aerospace sector,” said Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s Corporate Officer, responsible for Power Systems business, and Director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.
The two companies aim to co-develop a two-megawatt superconducting motor as part of their shared efforts. This agreement was signed in Tokyo at Japan Aerospace 2024 by Ombach and Takeuchi, alongside other representatives from both organisations.
Airbus has been working on reducing the risks associated with these technologies over the past decade. As part of this effort, Airbus UpNext launched the Cryoprop demonstrator, which is testing a two-megawatt propulsion system. Toshiba, meanwhile, has been researching superconducting applications for nearly 50 years and developed a motor prototype in 2022.
The partnership marks the first achievement under the Airbus Tech Hub Japan initiative, which was launched in May 2024 to promote research and innovation in aerospace.
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